Audio Session 2 – Sections 1-3
Audio for Session #2
Session #2
* Commentary Four views: Pluralism, Christian America, Theonomy, National Confessionalism
* Sections 1-3 Since God ordains government, we must have government.
INSTITUTES
OF
THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION
By
John Calvin
Translation by Henry Beveridge, Esq
Book 4 – CHAPTER 20
“OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT”
Section 1
Having shown above that there is a twofold government in man, and having fully considered the one which, placed in the soul or inward man, relates to eternal life, we are here called to say something of the other, which pertains only to civil institutions and the external regulation of manners. For although this subject seems from its nature to be unconnected with the spiritual doctrine of faith, which I have undertaken to treat, it will appear as we proceed, that I have properly connected them, nay, that I am under the necessity of doing so, especially while, on the one hand, frantic and barbarous men are furiously endeavoring to overturn the order established by God, and, on the other, the flatterers of princes, extolling their power without measure, hesitate not to oppose it to the government of God. Unless we meet both extremes, the purity of the faith will perish. We may add, that it in no small degree concerns us to know how kindly God has here consulted for the human race, that pious zeal may the more strongly urge us to testify our gratitude. And first, before entering on the subject itself, it is necessary to attend to the distinction which we formerly laid down (Book 3 Chap. 19 sec. 16, et supra, Chap. 10), lest, as often happens to many, we imprudently confound these two things, the nature of which is altogether different. For some, on hearing that liberty is promised in the gospel, a liberty which acknowledges no king and no magistrate among men, but looks to Christ alone, think that they can receive no benefit from their liberty so long as they see any power placed over them. Accordingly, they think that nothing will be safe until the whole world is changed into a new form, when there will be neither courts, nor laws, nor magistrates, nor anything of the kind to interfere, as they suppose, with their liberty. But he who knows to distinguish between the body and the soul, between the present fleeting life and that which is future and eternal, will have no difficulty in understanding that the spiritual kingdom of Christ and civil government are things very widely separated. Seeing, therefore, it is a Jewish vanity to seek and include the kingdom of Christ under the elements of this world, let us, considering, as Scripture clearly teaches, that the blessings which we derive from Christ are spiritual, remember to confine the liberty which is promised and offered to us in him within its proper limits. For why is it that the very same apostle who bids us “stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not again entangled with the yoke of bondage” (Gal. 5:1), in another passage forbids slaves to be solicitous about their state (1 Cor. 7:21), unless it be that spiritual liberty is perfectly compatible with civil servitude? In this sense the following passages are to be understood: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female” (Gal. 3:28). Again, “There is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all and in all” (Col. 3:11). It is thus intimated, that it matters not what your condition is among men, nor under what laws you live, since in them the kingdom of Christ does not at all consist.
Section 2
Still the distinction does not go so far as to justify us in supposing that the whole scheme of civil government is matter of pollution, with which Christian men have nothing to do. Fanatics, indeed, delighting in unbridled license, insist and vociferate that, after we are dead by Christ to the elements of this world, and being translated into the kingdom of God sit among the celestials, it is unworthy of us, and far beneath our dignity, to be occupied with those profane and impure cares which relate to matters alien from a Christian man. To what end, they say, are laws without courts and tribunals? But what has a Christian man to do with courts? Nay, if it is unlawful to kill, what have we to do with laws and courts? But as we lately taught that that kind of government is distinct from the spiritual and internal kingdom of Christ, so we ought to know that they are not adverse to each other. The former, in some measure, begins the heavenly kingdom in us, even now upon earth, and in this mortal and evanescent life commences immortal and incorruptible blessedness, while to the latter it is assigned, so long as we live among men, to foster and maintain the external worship of God, to defend sound doctrine and the condition of the Church, to adapt our conduct to human society, to form our manners to civil justice, to conciliate us to each other, to cherish common peace and tranquillity. All these I confess to be superfluous, if the kingdom of God, as it now exists within us, extinguishes the present life. But if it is the will of God that while we aspire to true piety we are pilgrims upon the earth, and if such pilgrimage stands in need of such aids, those who take them away from man rob him of his humanity. As to their allegation that there ought to be such perfection in the Church of God that her guidance should suffice for law, they stupidly imagine her to be such as she never can be found in the community of men. For while the insolence of the wicked is so great, and their iniquity so stubborn, that it can scarcely be curbed by any severity of laws, what do we expect would be done by those whom force can scarcely repress from doing ill, were they to see perfect impunity for their wickedness?
Section 3
But we shall have a fitter opportunity of speaking of the use of civil government. All we wish to be understood at present is, that it is perfect barbarism to think of exterminating it, its use among men being not less than that of bread and water, light and air, while its dignity is much more excellent. Its object is not merely, like those things, to enable men to breathe, eat, drink, and be warmed (though it certainly includes all these, while it enables them to live together); this, I say, is not its only object, but it is, that no idolatry, no blasphemy against the name of God, no calumnies against his truth, nor other offences to religion, break out and be disseminated among the people; that the public quiet be not disturbed, that every man’s property be kept secure, that men may carry on innocent commerce with each other, that honesty and modesty be cultivated; in short, that a public form of religion may exist among Christians, and humanity among men. Let no one be surprised that I now attribute the task of constituting religion aright to human polity, though I seem above to have placed it beyond the will of man, since I no more than formerly allow men at pleasure to enact laws concerning religion and the worship of God, when I approve of civil order which is directed to this end—viz. to prevent the true religion, which is contained in the law of God, from being with impunity openly violated and polluted by public blasphemy. But the reader, by the help of a perspicuous arrangement, will better understand what view is to be taken of the whole order of civil government, if we treat of each of its parts separately. Now these are three: The Magistrate, who is president and guardian of the laws; the Laws, according to which he governs; and the People, who are governed by the laws, and obey the magistrate. Let us consider, then, first, What is the function of the magistrate? Is it a lawful calling approved by God? What is the nature of his duty? What the extent of his power? Secondly, What are the laws by which Christian polity is to be regulated? And, lastly, What is the use of laws as regards the people? And, What obedience is due to the magistrate?
John Calvin’s Treatise “On Civil Government”
Study Questions
Session #2
1. What are the four views of government? Give a brief explanation
1. ____________ __________________________________________
2. ____________ __________________________________________
3. ____________ __________________________________________
4. ____________ __________________________________________
2. Which view is espoused by most Americans? ____________
3. Which view is held by Liberal Evangelicalism? ______________
4. In 1864 the National Reform Association asked Congress to do what? ____________________________
5. Complete the following Scriptures:
* Psalm 47:7 “For God is the _______ of all the earth.”
* Revelation 1:5 “and from Jesus Christ . . . the _______ of the kings of the earth.”
* Psalm 2:10-12
“Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; take warning, O judges of the earth. Worship the Lord with reverence and rejoice with trembling. Do ___________ to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!”
6. Is it enough to simply add to the Constitution a statement that the Bible is the basis for our law? What else should be added? ______________________________________________________________________
7. Calvin begins in Section 1 by stating there are two errors
a. Those who want to throw off all restraint of government
b. _____________________________________________
8 . Beware of those who think all problems in society can be changed by changing the __________________
9. Some religious people in Calvin’s day were refuting the need for government from passages such as “It was for freedom that Christ set us free.” (Galatians 5:1) What was Calvin’s answer to this argument?
________________________________________________________________________________
10. Is the law of conscience and institution of the church all we need for social order? ________________
11. Government is necessary for both Christians and non-Christians. Nevertheless, the more sinful a society becomes, the greater the need for more _____________. According to Proverbs 28:2, “By the transgression of a land many are its _________.”
12. In Section 3, Calvin gives the main outline for the information to follow:
A. The magistrates
B. ____________
C. ___________________________
John Calvin’s Treatise “On Civil Government”
Study Answers
Session #2
1. What are the four views of government? Give a brief explanation
1. Pluralism – The state is to embrace all religions and enforce only the universal moral laws found on men’s conscience.
2. Christian America – The governmental leaders should pass laws that follow Christian values.
3. Theonomy (Reconstructionism) – A nation must follow the judicial laws of the Old Covenant.
4 National Confessionalism – A nation must declare in its documents the Christian faith.
2. Which view is espoused by most Americans? Pluralism
3. Which view is held by Liberal Evangelicalism? Pluralism
4. In 1864 the National Reform Association asked Congress to do what? Add an amendment to the Constitution acknowledging the authority of the Scriptures and Jesus Christ
5. Complete the following Scriptures:
* Psalm 47:7 “For God is the King of all the earth.”
* Revelation 1:5 “and from Jesus Christ . . . the ruler of the kings of the earth.”
* Psalm 2:10-12
“Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; take warning, O judges of the earth. Worship the Lord with reverence and rejoice with trembling. Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!”
6. Is it enough to simply add to the Constitution a statement that the Bible is the basis for our law? What else should be added?
To thwart the wolves who claim alternative interpretations of Scripture, any constitution must include at least (1) Biblical teaching on the limits of government (2) An explanation that the judicial punishments in the Law of Moses are not for Gentile nations (3) a bill of rights that clearly delineates the moral law of God that the state should enforce.
7. Calvin begins in Section 1 by stating there are two errors
a. Those who want to throw off all restraint of government
b. Those who give too much power or flattery to government
8 . Beware of those who think all problems in society can be changed by changing the polity of government.
9. Some religious people in Calvin’s day were refuting the need for government from passages such as “It was for freedom that Christ set us free.” (Galatians 5:1) What was Calvin’s answer to this argument?
These passages are speaking about our spiritual standing before Christ and our freedom from the penalty of the law, not our relationship with government.
10. Is the law of conscience and institution of the church all we need for social order? No, we need government
11. Government is necessary for both Christians and non-Christians. Nevertheless, the more sinful a society becomes, the greater the need for more government. According to Proverbs 28:2, “By the transgression of a land many are its princes.”
12. In Section 3, Calvin gives the main outline for the information to follow:
A. The magistrates
B. The Law
C. The duty of the people who are governed